Artist: Michelangelo

Date: 1498-1499

 

• The statue is the Pieta. The translation from Italian of 'pieta' into English is 'pity'

 

• Michelangelo was around 25 when he sculpted the Pieta. It is also the only work that he signed. Mary's sash reads: MICHAELA[N]GELUS BONAROTUS FLORENTIN[US] FACIEBA[T]. Translated: "Michelangelo Buonarroti, Florentine, was making this"

 

• The statue was commissioned by the French cardinal Jean de Bilheres for his tomb near old St. Peters. He died before it was completed. It was placed on his tomb in 1500. When the building of the new St. Peter's was completed, the Pieta was moved to various locations until it was placed here in 1749. The statue was damaged in 1972 when it was attacked with a hammer